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Study, 1986

Is low vitamin B6 a cause of PMS?

No. Vitamin B6 levels were similar in women with severe PMS and those without symptoms, suggesting B6 deficiency does not cause PMS.

Moderate study design 210 healthy premenopausal women, including 41 with moderate or severe PMS and 95 with no or slight symptoms

What they did

Researchers measured vitamin B6 levels in 210 healthy women and compared those with moderate or severe PMS to those with no or mild symptoms.

What they found

Vitamin B6 levels were similar in women with moderate or severe PMS (41 women, 20% of the total) and women with no or only slight symptoms (95 women, 45% of the total). Women with PMS were older and more likely to have children, but smoking and contraceptive use were similar in both groups.

What it means for you

Vitamin B6 deficiency does not appear to be a cause of PMS. However, the study only measured B6 at one point, not over time.

210

women studied

41

with moderate or severe PMS

95

with no or slight symptoms

About the study

Original title
Plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in women with the premenstrual syndrome
Authors
Ritchie CD, Singkamani R
Journal
Human nutrition. Clinical nutrition
Year
1986
Study design
Study
Participants
210

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